Lakshmana

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This article is about the Hindu deity. For other uses, see Lakshman (disambiguation).
Lakshmana
Statue of Lakshmana at Srivaikuntanathan Perumal temple
AffiliationAvatar of Shesha
AbodeVaikuntha, Kshira Sagara
WeaponBow and Arrow, Dagger
Personal information
Born
Ayodhya
Died
Sarayu river, Ayodhya
ParentsDasharatha (father)
Sumitra (mother)
Kausalya (step-mother)
Kaikeyi (step-mother)
SiblingsShatrughna (brother)
Rama (half-brother)
Bharata (half-brother)
Shanta (half-sister)
SpouseUrmila
ChildrenAngada
Chandraketu[1]
DynastyRaghuvaṃśa-Suryavaṃśa

Lakshmana (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मण, lit. 'the fortunate one', IAST: Lakṣmaṇa), also spelled as Laxmana, is the younger brother of Rama and his loyalist in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He bears the epithets of Saumitra (Sanskrit: सौमित्र, lit. 'son of Sumitra', IAST: Saumitra) and Ramanuja (Sanskrit: रामानुज, lit. 'younger brother of Rama', IAST: Rāmānuja). He is the twin of Shatrughna.[2]

Legend[edit]

Birth[edit]

Birth of the four sons of Dasharatha

King Dasharatha of Ayodhya had three wives: Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra. He performed a yajna to beget sons and as a result, his queens became pregnant.[3] Lakshmana and his brother Shatrughna were born to Sumitra, while Rama and Bharata were born to Kausalya and Kaikeyi.[4]

In the Puranas, Lakshmana is described as an incarnation of Shesha, the multiple-headed naga (serpent) upon whom rests the preserver deity Vishnu, whose avatar Rama is considered to be.[5][6] When sage Vishvamitra asked Rama to kill the demons in the forest, Lakshmana accompanied them and went to Mithila with them. Vishvamitra gives them the knowledge of the Devastras or celestial weaponry [bala and ati bala], trains them in advanced religion and guides them to kill powerful demons like Tadaka, Maricha and Subahu.[7]

Marriage[edit]

The marriage ceremony of the four brothers and the four sisters

After Rama won the svayamvara of Sita, their marriage was fixed. King Dasharatha arrived in Mithila for his son's wedding and noticed that Lakshmana had feelings for Urmila, but according to tradition, Bharata and Mandavi were to marry first.[8][9] King Dasharatha then arranged for Bharata to marry Mandavi and Shatrughna to marry Shrutakirti, allowing Lakshmana to marry Urmila. Ultimately, all four sisters married the four brothers, strengthening the alliance between the two kingdoms.[10] The wedding ceremony was conducted under the guidance of Shatananda. During the homeward journey to Ayodhya, another avatar of Vishnu, Parashurama, challenged Rama to combat, on the condition that he was able to string the bow of Vishnu, Sharanga. When Rama obliged him with success, Parashurama acknowledged the former to be a form of Vishnu and departed to perform penance at the mountain Mahendra. The wedding entourage then reached Ayodhya, entering the city amid great fanfare.[11][12]

Urmila and Lakshmana had two sons named Angada and Chandraketu. Their elder son Angada, founded the kingdom of Karupada and the younger son founded the city of Chandrakanti in the Malwa country.[13]

Exile and war[edit]

Main article: Exile of Lord Rama

Lakshmana served Rama and Sita reverently during the exile. In Panchavati, Lakshmana also built a hut for Rama and Sita to live in. Lakshmana cut off Ravana's sister Surpanakha's nose in anger when she tried to seduce Rama and insulted Sita. He played an important role in the war with Ravana and slew Ravana's sons Indrajita and Atikaya.[14]

On the first night of exile, when Rama and Sita were sleeping, the deity Nidra appeared before Lakshmana and he requested her to offer him the boon of not sleeping for the fourteen years.[15] The goddess asked him that she could grant his wish, but someone else would have to take his place asleep. Lakshmana asked the goddess to enquire his wife Urmila regarding this, who happily accepted the task. Urmila slept continuously for the fourteen years of exile, to complete the sleep of her and her husband's share. Urmila is notable for this unparalleled sacrifice, which is called Urmila Nidra.[16][17]

When Sita asked Rama to fetch a magical golden deer for her, Rama asked Lakshmana to stand guard as he sensed danger and evil. The golden deer was the demon Maricha, who distracted Rama. When Rama killed Maricha, he cried out in Rama's voice for help. Although Lakshmana knew that Rama was invincible and beyond any danger, Sita panicked and frantically ordered Lakshmana to go to Rama's aid immediately. Unable to disobey Sita, Lakshmana drew a perimeter line (Lakshmana Rekha), which Sita must not cross and went in search of Rama. Sita, however, out of compulsion of religious duty and compassion for Ravana, who was disguised as a poor Brahmin, crossed the line to give him alms, following which she was abducted.[18]

During the war between Rama and Ravana, Lakshmana killed Indrajita and Atikaya, who were the sons of Ravana. Before he killed Indrajita, Lakhshmana was wounded deceitfully by Indrajita, and Hanuman's intervention saved him from certain death.[19]

Post exile[edit]

After the end of the Lanka war, Rama was crowned King of Kosala, and Bharata became the crown prince. Rama had offered to make Lakshmana the crown prince, but he refused, saying Bharata was elder to him and more deserving of the title. Rama, hearing this, was very pleased and said "O Lakshmana, in this birth, you served me so well and did your duties as a younger brother, so I will do the same in my next birth as your younger brother". Thus, in the next birth, Rama became Krishna and Lakshmana became Balarama, Krishna's elder brother. [citation needed]

Goddess Nidra had told Lakshman that he would have to go to sleep as soon as the exile ends, so that Urmila could awake. After the exile, Lakshaman went to sleep and Urmila saw the coronation of Rama.

"My brother, I have waited for this grand moment for years and just when I was about to witness my Lord Ram being crowned king, the goddess of sleep, Nidra, reminds me of our agreement and demands that I submit to her this very moment and go to sleep and let Urmila awaken."[20]

—The Princess Who Slept For 14 Years

Lakshmana was the one who left Sita in the forests near sage Valmiki's ashram after she expressed her desire to leave the kingdom. Lakshmana remained loyal to his brother and fought against Rama's sons Lava and Kusha later on. [citation needed]

According to the Uttara Kanda, Lakshmana had ruled over Karupada; which was inherited by his elder son, Angada; whilst Lakshmana's younger son, Chandraketu had inherited Mallya, with its capital Chandrakanti being commissioned by Rama.[21]

Renunciation of life[edit]

Sage Durvasa appeared at Rama's doorstep, and seeing Lakshmana guarding the door, demanded an audience with Rama. At the time, Rama was having a private conversation with Yama. Before the conversation began, Yama gave Rama strict instructions that their dialogue was to remain confidential, and anyone who entered the room was to be relieved of their life. Rama agreed and entrusted Lakshmana with the duty of guarding his door. When Durvasa made his demand, Lakshmana politely refused. The sage grew angry and threatened to curse all of Ayodhya if Lakshmana did not immediately inform Rama of his arrival. Lakshmana, in a dilemma, decided it would be better that he alone die to save all of Ayodhya from falling under Durvasa's curse and so interrupted Rama's meeting to inform him of the sage's arrival. Durvasa cursed him that he should go to heaven alive. Rama quickly concluded his meeting with Yama and received the sage with due courtesy. In order to fulfil his brother's promise, Lakshmana went to the banks of the river Sarayu, resolved on giving up the world by drowning himself in the Sarayu. From there, Indra removed Lakshmana from the water and took him alive to heaven.[22]

In popular belief[edit]

Rama is often worshiped with Lakshmana (left) and Sita on his sides; Kalaram Temple, Nashik.

Lakshmana was described in the Ramayana as a man with unwavering loyalty, love and commitment to his elder brother, through times of joy and adversity alike.

Bandhavgarh Fort at Madhya Pradesh (bandhav as brother, garh as fort) was said to have been given by Rama to his brother Lakshmana to keep watch on Lanka.[23]

Military officers given the rank equivalent of admirals in navies in the Malay Archipelago, including Malaysia and Indonesia, are titled "Lakshmana" (Jawi script: لقسامان) after the figure.

Jain version[edit]

Main articles: Rama in Jainism and Śalākāpuruṣa

Lakshmana is referred to as Vasudeva in the Jain Ramayana. According to the Jain Ramayana, it was Lakshmana who killed Ravana, not Rama.[24] According to Jain storytelling, Lakshmana had around sixteen thousand wives in which Prithvisundari was his principle consort (in the Hindu epic, he had only one wife Urmila).[25][26]

Temples and worship[edit]

Lakshmana alongside his wife, Urmila is worshipped across the country.

Gallery[edit]

  • Rama portrayed as a vanavasi (forest dweller) in the forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana
    Rama portrayed as a vanavasi (forest dweller) in the forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana
  • Lakshamana cut Surpanakha's nose
    Lakshamana cut Surpanakha's nose
  • Killing of Indrajit by Lakshmana
    Killing of Indrajit by Lakshmana

References[edit]

  1. ^ Ramayana – Conclusion, translated by Romesh C. Dutt (1899)
  2. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (29 June 2012). "Lakshmana, Lakṣmaṇa, Lakṣmaṇā: 34 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  3. ^ Dasharatha's third Queen, Charanamrit.com, 19 June 2012
  4. ^ Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 448-9. ISBN 978-0-8426-0822-0.
  5. ^ aravamudan, krishnan (22 September 2014). Pure Gems of Ramayanam. PartridgeIndia. ISBN 978-1-4828-3720-9.
  6. ^ Haq, Kaiser (12 October 2015). The Triumph of the Snake Goddess. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-91511-4. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Rama and Lakshmana Slay the mighty tataka". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  8. ^ Praśānta Guptā (1998). Vālmīkī Rāmāyaṇa. Dreamland Publications. p. 32. ISBN 9788173012549.
  9. ^ Dawar, Sonalini Chaudhry (2006). Ramayana, the Sacred Epic of Gods and Demons. Om Books International. ISBN 9788187107675.
  10. ^ Debroy, Bibek (2005). The History of Puranas. Bharatiya Kala Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-8090-062-4.
  11. ^ Valmiki. The Ramayana. pp. 126–145.
  12. ^ Swami Parmeshwaranand (1 January 2001). Encyclopaedic Dictionaries of Puranas. Sarup & Sons. pp. 1210–1220. ISBN 978-81-7625-226-3. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  13. ^ "The Ramayana: Conclusion". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  14. ^ Richman, Paula (29 August 1991). "The Mutilation of Surpanakha". Many Ramayanas: The Diversity of a Narrative Tradition in South Asia. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-07589-4.
  15. ^ Kavita Kané (2014). Sita's Sister. Rupa Publications India Pvt. Limited. ISBN 9788129134844.
  16. ^ Reeja Radhakrishnan (28 March 2014). "Urmila, The Sleeping Princess". Indian Express. Chennai. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  17. ^ "Ramayana: Check 13 lesser-known facts". Jagranjosh.com. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  18. ^ Pauwels, Heidi R. M. (9 October 2008). The Goddess as Role Model: Sita and Radha in Scripture and on Screen. Oxford University Press. p. 396. ISBN 978-0-19-970857-4.
  19. ^ B. A van Nooten William (2000). Ramayana. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-22703-3.
  20. ^ Tulika Singh (2018). The Princess Who Slept For 14 Years. Notion Press. p. 20. ISBN 9781948372176.
  21. ^ "Ram7 115 - AncientVoice".
  22. ^ "When Sri Rama gives death penalty to Laxman". News Track. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  23. ^ Padmanabhan, Geeta (14 February 2018). "Holding fort at Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  24. ^ "No exaggerations: The truth behind what happened in the Ramayana". The Indian Express. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  25. ^ Dundas, Paul (2002) [1992]. The Jains (Second ed.). London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-26605-5.
  26. ^ Iyengar, Kodaganallur Ramaswami Srinivasa (2005). Asian Variations In Ramayana. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-1809-3.
  27. ^ "Temple Profile: Mandir Shri Laxman Ji". Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  28. ^ "The place where not Ram and Sita, but Lakshman and Urmila are worshipped". News18 India. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  29. ^ "Sri Kalyana Ramachandra Swamy temple: Small wonder on a hillock". Deccan Chronicle. 3 December 2017.
  30. ^ "This unique Rama temple near Hyderabad where Hanuman finds no place". The News Minute. 17 April 2016.

External links[edit]

  • Media related to Lakshmana at Wikimedia Commons
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